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Category: New Business Development

You’ve seen the post that projects significant growth in micro markets year after year! But as the competition increases finding just the right location can become difficult! Revamp your market thinking and find ways to locations that aren’t just the norm.

Smaller locations can be successful too! Three Square Market has had successful markets of 35 employees or less since 2013. And here is how we do it and why …

Why? Because there is limitless potential in businesses of 15 – 75 employees!

How? Small office, think small market! At 32M, we added the Tablet kiosk in 2014 and subsequent small kiosk models to improve on the small market opportunity. Most other kiosk providers have over the years adjusted to the small kiosk movement as well. Essentially, the smaller kiosk incurs a smaller start-up cost and has a smaller footprint.

Taking it to the next step … mobile apps! That’s right, you’ve heard us say it before but as the originator of the mobile app for micro markets, we think this is a BIG deal! A kiosk in every hand can only increase the number of transactions your market can handle at any point in time!

Making it work for you?

Find an appropriate location for your smaller markets, because these markets require your attention just like your larger markets. To be successful you need to be active in regularly servicing your small markets. We suggest that you look for small locations that surround your larger or existing markets.

As always, cleanliness and filled, faced products in your market is imperative in keeping your market desirable. Micro markets with low product selections or look messy tend to have a difficult time retaining and drawing in purchases. It is worth the investment in your product stock to keep your markets looking fully stocked and orderly.

Your product selection? As we know fresh food items are a key to success in micro markets and we aren’t saying you should immediately count these products out, but here are a few things you can consider if you feel like fresh items are not working at these locations.

Trendy products like protein bars and drinks, kefir, kombucha, high-end frozen products. Remember you want to make your market significantly different from what they would have had with vending machines.

Location subsidizing costs – although this option might not work for all locations it never hurts to see what locations are willing to do for their employees. Remember that employers are looking for low-cost ways to add high-value employee benefits.

Route management and pre-kitting, the more you are on top of your markets and very involved with products, product rotation, and expiration management with promotions to move products when necessary.

Here’s a blog we love!

This blog talks about the benefits of using stainless steel cups and we use them throughout our office to reduce waste and increase employee satisfaction!

We believe in stainless steel tumblers so much we’re adding them as an offering in our “Stock Your Store” on our web-store! Check out the store to see what a great price we have for you and your customers!

The Benefits of Using Stainless Steel Cups

Stainless steel cups may not seem as glamorous as beautifully crafted glass cups, but they offer more benefits. People may doubt this, but it is actually true. There are many benefits to using stainless steel cups.

Plastic and glass cups cannot match the safety, durability, and sustainability of stainless steel cups. These cups offer strong impact resistance. They are 100% reusable and recyclable. It is a practical choice.

It Can Last a Lifetime

Stainless steel is quite indestructible. They possess lifelong properties that do not diminish with repeated use. It has superior strength-to-weight ratio compared to glass and plastic cups. Glass cups are fragile. Not surprisingly, they are often not the best choice when it comes to large events and venues. Aluminum bottles may be tough, but they are susceptible to corrosion and leaks. These things also have synthetic interiors which eventually decay over time. Plastic can crack or disintegrate overuse and washing. These things cannot hold hot liquids. They also melt when exposed to extreme heat. The truth is when it comes to longevity – stainless steel cups beat them all.

Safest Material to Hold Your Drinks

Every now and then, controversies will arise regarding the toxic chemicals that can be found in plastic containers and aluminum bottles. These controversies gave rise to consumer backlash. Not surprisingly, more people are opting to buy stainless steel products. The natural composition of the stainless steel is non-toxic. They are free from BPA, zinc, lead, phthalates and other toxic materials that are linked to health issues.

Stainless steel is well known for its antibacterial and hygienic properties. It is widely used in the food and beverage industry. Stainless steel cups and bottles do not leak. They do not need interior coatings or linings that eventually disintegrate. Stainless steel is nonreactive to acid, so you get a clean taste without smell or flavor.

Easy to Clean and Maintain

Unlike plastic and glass, stainless steel is incredibly easy to clean. These things are resistant to stains, rust, and corrosion. They are considerably easy to wash, and they do not require careful handling, unlike glass cups. You can wash them by hand or throw them in the dishwasher. I particularly enjoy the rust-proof aspect of these cups.

Environment-Friendly, Reusable and Recyclable

Billions of plastic cups and bottles end up in landfills yearly. If they are placed end-to-end, they could circle the entire planet. On the other hand, stainless steel glasses can be reused for years. They can even be recycled at the end of their useful life without degradation. They can be kept out of landfills. Stainless steel cups are durable, recyclable, reusable and environment-friendly. They are a great addition to your kitchen.

Great For Outdoor Activities

Because of the durability of stainless steel cups, they work well for outdoor activities like camping and picnics. Paper cups are convenient but leaving drinks in them can cause them become soaked and soggy. Stainless steel cups are great for not only general hot or cold drinks, but they also make it very easy to mix drinks, alcohol or non-alcoholic. Our specific cups are also very stackable, making it easy to carry to any party or outdoor event with ease.

One Con I Noticed When Handling Steel Cups

When using steel cups, make sure you keep them in the shade or a cool area. I’ve noticed they heat up quickly, especially when you leave them in the car or out in the blazing hot sun.

What is Pick & Ship?

Pick & Ship is a unique feature of the 32M system, that you won’t find anywhere else. Using 32M’s Intelligent Inventory Management and your set route schedule, orders can be auto-generated to OUR warehouse … where your products are picked per store, boxed, and then shipped to YOUR selected location.

“It’s a no-brainer.”

One of the most frequent things we heard while displaying our newest solution at the NAMA One Show 2017 is … “It’s a no-brainer.”

And they’re right! With the BrightPick and 32M system, orders come in directly from the intelligent inventory software based on store needs and specified fill dates. When your warehouse staff is set to pick your store order the products light up and list quantities for picking. Pickers then collect the products and push the button on the device to complete the pick, moving on from item to item until the order is complete. Prekitting at its finest form.

“Increase your warehouse efficiency and accuracy.”

Using this system in our own warehouses we can tell you we’ve nearly eliminated ‘miss pick’ from our vocabulary!

We developed and added this solution because of demand for an easier process to fulfill warehouse orders. At 32M, we began this initiative in late 2016, as a means to simplify and solve warehouse picking issues for not only our operators but also ourselves. Like all of our other products and offerings, this system is made completely in-house.

“Simplicity is the goal of this system.”

Set up with the BrightPick system and integration with your stores is easy and efficient. No more struggles to pull all your systems together! It’s flexible, no more struggles with device placement, all BrightPick displays connect easily by ethernet cords making it easy to move devices to necessary locations, limited only by the length of your Ethernet cords!

This system is currently in beta testing to ensure we release the most amazing product for you, with an estimated availability date of September 1st!

On average a person spends 1/3 of their entire lives at work. Now, 1/3 doesn’t sound like that big of a deal till you look at … the average person works 25-30 years of the average life expectancy (in the US) of 78.74 years. During the half of your lifetime spent working, 60% of your waking time is spent at work!

60%!!!

You deserve a micro market in your workplace. Here’s how you can sell your boss on the idea:

Budget Isn’t A Factor!

As many people know, management is generally MOST concerned with how the budget will be affected. In the U.S., the installation and maintenance of micro market are generally done at NO COST to the business. In fact, a micro market can SAVE a business money. Here’s how:

Company Culture: A buzzword or actual tactic!

In a work world now dominated by the millennial generation, employees are asking how is this company nurturing my work/life balance? Yes, Work Life Balance it’s a real thing … in the best companies!
A micro market is more than just a place to get a snack or some lunch. Micro markets offer so much more than the traditional items and have really become the new office “water cooler” spot. Management can utilize a micro market as an opportunity to reward and engage employees.

Working Hungry? Is it worth it?

Another culture shift in the workplace is employees not taking the time for nutrition. This practice can be detrimental to productivity. Today’s workday is unpredictable and employees spend a lot of time running from one task to another. A micro market resolves many of these issue providing a middle ground for a quick or leisurely breakfast/snack/lunch/dinner/etc. Here is some stat to support this:

31 million Americans skip breakfast each day which decreases blood sugar and brain function.

Having snacks available throughout the day can increase motivation and productivity, and even decrease absenteeism.

Employees who eat healthy all day long are 25% more likely to have higher job performance.

Upgrade the appearance of your space!

A micro market can increase the appearance of your business not only to your employees or future employees but to anyone in your space. Let’s face it a bank of vending machines will never be attractive in your space, but a custom, well-designed, and self-branded market will fit in your location and meld in with your locations aesthetics.

Employee satisfaction & enjoyment!

Is there really anything else to say? Increasing employee satisfaction and workplace enjoyment is always worth the change

Micro markets change more than just the atmosphere of the location where employees get their breakfast, lunch or snacks. Yes, micro markets expand the number of products that are available to employees at a location and even change out the type/size/quality/etc. of the products that can be stocked.

In traditional vending, an operator is stuck using a planogram that is created based on products that will fit together to maximize the space available in their specific vending machine. As you can imagine this can severely limit your product options!

Micro markets create opportunities unseen in traditional vending:

On average a micro market attracts 18% more visits per day and an average of 1.2 sales per day per visit, as compared with .7 sales in vending areas. Of course, this varies by location. BUT …

Take these numbers to an even higher level by introducing aspects to your micro market that are not even possible with traditional vending.

Customize your market experience to your customer demographic

Add popular products like take-home dinners

Seasonal products like ice scrapers, hand warmers, sunscreen, etc.

Holiday based products: gift cards, greeting cards, candies, etc.

At 32M, we’ve been providing options for non-food product sales and encouraging our operators to see the success of these add-on items since day 1. Learn more about the options we can help you stock here: Ahead of the Trend Non-Food Sales.

From over the counter medications and laundry/hygiene items (think hairspray, combs, toothpaste, floss, deodorant) to electronic accessories such as charging banks to device specific accessories and cords.

Have you ever been “up a creek” without your iPhone/Android charging cord?
Yup, us too! Trust us, it’s a common issue and therefore a commonly purchased item!

The trend of Quality AND Quantity is the next big piece of micro market success. Quality and quantity are normally a this vs. that situation. Not anymore! Customers want the best of both worlds which means balancing quality and quantity. Lucky for you, 32M backs up their operators with a smarter system that recommends appropriate product par levels and product adjustments based on your customers’ buying patterns!

Essentially, customers want a lot of variety to choose from as well as products that make their lives easier, BUT they also want those products to be quality. We’ll paint you a picture … you walk into your workplace micro market, you find a high-quality fresh salad or sandwich and a new flavored water product you want to try for lunch. Delicious and meets your nutritional needs! On your way to the kiosk to check out you notice a charging cord for your phone on sale and think that would be great to have because you forgot to plug your phone in last night. And as you are checking out you see that there is a great deal on take-home lasagna roll-ups and think about taking that home for dinner, that way you don’t have to run to the store after work! Awesome!

Not only did that employee find things that made their day better, but made their life easier; And the operator made additional sales that with traditional vending they never would have had the chance to get.

An Article We Love! This article breaks down the importance of eating healthy and often to maintain your “edge” in the workplace. BUT, think about it from the employer’s perspective … wouldn’t you want to ensure these healthy and plentiful choices were available right in your building? Exactly! That’s why micro markets are here to stay!

“Likewise, employers should encourage their staff members to refuel with a snack and take time to eat a healthy lunch. Employers should set an example of what healthy “brain” food looks like. Instead of bringing donuts or pizza to a staff meeting, the menu should include fruits, vegetables and nuts.

This will not only help improve the health of your staff, it may just boost your bottom line as well.”

Your Food Choices Ultimately Influence Your WorkPlace Success

Article from Entrepreneur.com
Contributor: Matt Mayberry

OCTOBER 23, 2015

We rarely associate our meals with workplace performance, but science is now telling us that what we eat has a significant impact. What you have for lunch can make a meaningful difference in your cognitive performance, energy levels and critical decision-making ability. Your food choices ultimately influence your workplace success.

Being properly fueled allows you to get the most out of your day and stay present through long meetings and stressful situations. Presentations in the boardroom, high-stress negotiations and client interactions require fierce concentration and brain power. Food helps fuel electrical impulses for learning, memory and other cognitive tasks.

Plan your nutrition.

Staying alert on an empty stomach is difficult. It is imperative to plan your fuel intake throughout the day. Planning your meals and snacks in advance can take your work performance to the next level — especially if your life is filled with meetings and deadlines.

Decide what you are going to eat before lunchtime arrives. This leads to balanced, smart nutritional choices, rather than a trip to the vending machine or candy bowl.

Keep your snacks or “fuel supply” readily available throughout the day so you have options that are nutritious and provide consistent energy boosts every few hours rather than eating one big meal at lunch time. Healthy snacking is the key to maintaining peak energy levels and boosting brain power.

Your health should be a top priority. By taking care of yourself, you are better equipped to do your job. You should take a break to replenish your body when needed, which is why having your fuel supply nearby, readily available and freshly supplied every day of the week is so important.

The brain relies on glucose as its primary fuel, according to numerous studies on glucose enhancement of human memory. Increases in circulating blood glucose can actually facilitate cognitive functioning. This phenomenon has been dubbed the “glucose memory facilitation effect,” according to a 2011 study in the journal Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews.

Spikes in blood sugar affect your brain and productivity. When food breaks down in our systems it converts to glucose. Having a steady glucose level in your body equates to better focus. You should avoid processed carbohydrates and refined sugars that will cause your blood glucose and concentration levels to spike.

Healthy snacks including fruit, nuts, seeds, vegetables and protein bars will maintain your glucose at an optimum level. Eating quality protein and fats within each meal also help stabilize your blood glucose levels.

Eating disorders: a hidden danger lurking in Corporate America.

Eating disorders are more prevalent in the business world than many people realize. For many people in corporate jobs, skipping lunch is now the norm.

“Patients with eating disorders have the highest cortisol level in their systems, which means they carry an enormous amount of stress in their bodies,” says Dena Cabrera, PsyD, clinical director of Rosewood Centers for Eating Disorders in Arizona. “They have a high rate of anxiety, perfectionism and obsessive-compulsive disorder.”

High-pressure jobs and executive positions often come with long hours and a large amount of responsibility. Placing a person prone to anxiety in that type of environment is the perfect storm for an eating disorder to be triggered, Cabrera says.

People miss the signs because they don’t expect adults to have an eating disorder. In the United States, about 30 million men and women suffer from an eating disorder, meaning the person is so preoccupied with food that he or she cannot focus on other things — including work.

Unfortunately, the pressure to perform at work leaves little time for self-care, which means that many individuals don’t seek help, Cabrera says.

“There is incredible stigma and shame associated with admitting or exposing mental-health problems, especially for someone with authority,” she says.

Treatment for eating disorders is widely available and successful when the disease is dealt with quickly. Facilities such as Rosewood Centers for Eating Disorders have proven recovery models to help patients. There are signs to look for that a co-worker, employee or friend may be suffering from an eating disorder, including mood changes, significant changes in weight, eating very little or an enormous amount of food, changes in job performance and compulsivity on eating healthy or exercising, Cabrera says.

Focusing on nutrition should not be an afterthought.

The link between eating healthy and job performance is undeniable. People need to make their health and nutritional choices a priority in the workplace. In turn, they will be able function at the top of their game.

Likewise, employers should encourage their staff members to refuel with a snack and take time to eat a healthy lunch. Employers should set an example of what healthy “brain” food looks like. Instead of bringing donuts or pizza to a staff meeting, the menu should include fruits, vegetables and nuts.

This will not only help improve the health of your staff, it may just boost your bottom line as well.